of weeds and foliage. I do not maintain that quick conceptions are not a sign of genius, but that to connect glorious thoughts with words fit to enshrine and represent them, is a difficulty only to be overcome by assiduous toil and study. It is justly remarked by Shenstone, that fine writing is the result of spontaneous thoughts and laboured composition. Burns has acknowledged, that though his ideas were easy and rapid, the necessary correction of his verses was a heavy task. The great Milton well knew the advantage of condensation, and after dictating about forty lines would reduce them to half that number. It was the custom of Virgil "to pour out his verses in the morning, and pass the day in retrenching exuberances and correcting inaccuracies." A French author happily illustrated the comparative facility of a diffuse style, when he apologized for the length of a letter by stating that he had not time to write a shorter one. The writers of the present day, both in prose and verse, possess perhaps, taken as a body, more energy of thought and passion, and more of the genuine spirit of inspiration than their predecessors in the time of Queen Anne; and if they were only half as careful and condensed, their great superiority would be evident. But too many of them are prodigal of their intellectual wealth, and waste their powers. EVENING SOUNDS. Now slowly sails the gray mist o'er the plain; Whose tremulous bosom glimmers with the star Meek Evening wears beneath her dusky veil. And hark! the nightingale's melodious lay! Borne on the wandering wind o'er hill and dale, The soft notes rise, and fall, and melt away! LOVE-STANZAS. I. THEY tell me health's transparent flower glows freshly on thy cheek, They say that in the festal hall thy looks of rapture speak; They know that boundless love is mine, but do not read my heart, And little dream their friendly words awake an inward smart. 11. I well might weep to learn that care had blanched thy lovely brow, III. I should not thus forget, dear girl, that early years are bright, That hearts so young and pure as thine, are touched with holy light, And like the fountain's crystal streams, that through spring mea dows run, Reflect alone the fairest things that kindle in the sun. IV. They tell me too, that 'mid the crowd thou hast a smile for all, That oft upon the lowliest ear thy kindest accents fall: And oh! I doubly mourn my fate, and breathe an envious sigh, To think the stranger hears that voice, and meets that radiant eye! Ι V. And yet 'tis selfish thus to grieve-'tis base to doubt thy truth, VI. In fancy's trance I kiss thy brow, and clasp thee to my breast,But ah! how soon that dream departs, like sun-light in the west! And then my path is dark as their's who wander through the night When suddenly the fitful winds have quenched a cheering light. VII. And yet not wholly comfortless is home's deserted cell, For there thy written words remain of faithful love to tell; VIII. And still around my neck is hung, that last dear gift of thine, I hold it in my trembling hand-I touch thy braided hair— SONNET-TO MY TWIN BOYS. YE seem not, sweet ones, formed for human care- A charm in every scene; for all things greet How brightly yet your laughing features wear Twin buds of life and love!—my hope and pride! Stars of my home! No saddening shadows hide SONNET. OH! now glad Nature bursts upon mine eye! The night of care is o'er. Deep rapture thrills And form the throne of Peace; the silver stream HOME-VISIONS. [WRITTEN IN INDIA.] I. THE skies are blue as summer seas-the plains are green and bright The groves are fair as Eden's bowers-the streams are liquid light— The sun-rise bursts upon the scene, like glory on the soul, And richly round the couch of Day the twilight curtains roll. II. But oh! though beautiful it be, I yearn to leave the land,—— III. I gaze upon the stranger's face-I tread on foreign ground, around : My spirit may not mingle yet with scenes so wild and strange, And keeps in scorn of fleshly bonds its old accustomed range. IV. In that sweet hour when Fancy's spell inebriates the brain, |